When you run hactool without properly loading a keys file, you'll see warnings like:
The error message [WARN] prod.keys does not exist in hactool indicates that the program cannot locate the essential cryptographic keys required to decrypt and extract Switch files (NCA, XCI, NSP). Hactool does not include these keys by default due to legal reasons and expects you to provide them from your own hardware. Common Causes Missing File : You haven't generated or placed the file in a directory hactool can access. Incorrect Naming : The file might be named , but hactool specifically looks for unless otherwise specified. Wrong Directory : The file is not in the same folder as the hactool.exe or in the default system search path. 1. Generate the Keys
Create a new folder named .switch (ensure it starts with a dot). Move your prod.keys file inside this .switch folder.
hactool -k prod.keys --disablekeywarns --info game.nsp hactool prod.keys does not exist
Create a plain-text file named prod.keys with one key per line in this format: TitleKeyOrKeyName = hex_value Common key names and example entries:
Use the console volume buttons to navigate and the power button to select.
This command tells hactool to use the prod.keys file in the current directory for decrypting input_encrypted_file.enc . When you run hactool without properly loading a
, the scalpel of the digital preservationist. But every time the command was executed, a cold, clinical warning killed the momentum: [WARN] prod.keys does not exist.
Select Dump from SysNAND (or EmuNAND if applicable).
When you see the line "[WARN] prod.keys does not exist" , it is simply hactool telling you that it could not find this keys file in its default search locations. However, ; depending on the task, hactool can often continue its work without this file. Incorrect Naming : The file might be named
Last updated: 2025
If you prefer not to use the default system folders, you can explicitly tell hactool where your keys are located using the -k or --keyset flag during execution. Command Example hactool -k path/to/your/prod.keys -t nca encrypted_file.nca Use code with caution.